This Week in Berkeley Springs, WV February 1-7, 2010

The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Berkeley Springs continues to be a sculpted landscape of vertical lines that are winterized trees connected by the almost straight horizontal lines of parallel ridges. The geometry of the area is an everchanging photo opportunity. Since spending large amounts of time outdoors is alluring only to the hardy, let's tell you about all the fun INDOOR activities for the comfort-seekers.

Foodies can rejoice with the re-opening of the notable Lot 12 Public House flushed with rest, relaxation and many ideas for feeding you delectably with skilled -- and tasty -- presentations of local foods and excellent spirits. Chef Damien Heath, West Virginia's only chef to be included on the James Beard regional best chef list serves you dinner Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While Lot 12 is coming back on line for the season, Panorama at the Peak is taking a few weeks off. On the fine dining front, Tari's Cafe and the Country Inn remain ready to serve you great food daily. Try Tari's for Comfort Food at bargain prices on Wednesday while the Country Inn serves high tea Thursday through Sunday. Check the dining page for other excellent choices.

As always, the big news is in nightlife -- with some daytime art this weekend also.

The Star Theatre is showing the slightly bewildered Michael Cera in a comedy -- "Youth in Revolt" -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. This movie is rated R.

Earth Dog Cafe is music central with The Telltale Signs on Friday at 8:30pm and The Gliders on Saturday also at 8:30pm. Sunday at 4:30 will be the rhythmic sound of knitting needles as the cafe co sponsors a knit in with Pocket Meadow Farm Fiber Arts. The goal is to donate 100 helmet liners towards the nation wide effort by Citizen Sam. Earth Dog is more than just a welcoming bar with great music. Open daily it is a favorite stop for barbecue and breakfast all day.

The daytime art is a unique dance and music composition: Breathing Moments - an exploration of winter site-specific to Berkeley Springs State Park in the heart of town. The free performance starts at 3pm and is staged by visiting artists -- The Goose Route Arts Collaborative -- from neighboring Shepherdstown. You'll be able to see the springs misting away as well as getting a glimpse of that winter geometry.

Shopping continues to be a favorite indoor activity even though you do get to experience some outdoors as you move door to door from shop to shop along the compact historic downtown. You'll find everything from art to antiques to books and crystals. Almost everyday -- not Tuesdays -- The RAG Shop is one of the most popular places in town featuring quality recycled goods at bargain prices. Don't miss Thrifty Thursdays when all clothing, shoes, purses and other wardrobe enhancers are ONLY $1/piece. The Vintage Kitchen starts it’s Valentine sale this Saturday with 1940’s greeting cards. Another location for rare bargains is Valley Caravan south on US522 and filled with dazzling Oriental rugs. This is a business with a cause, directing its profits to educating women in Afghanistan. Everything is on sale for the next month or so before the shop closes. Don't miss your chance this weekend.

Naturally, the allure of warm water is overpowering during these winter days and Berkeley Springs is quite literally overflowing with it in spas dotted throughout the town offering a wide range of treatments along with the baths. You will NOT be breaking new ground here -- folks have been coming to the health-inducing baths since the 1740s! But, never as luxuriously as today.

All this fun requires a place to stay and we have more than 100 choices many including wood heat as well as personal whirlpool tubs. If you want someone to do it all for you -- and offer a good price, check out the Winter Escape Packages assembled by Highlawn Inn B&B that include massage at Atasia and dinners at Tari's Cafe. There are also packages and specials available at The Country Inn. The quaint and charming Bathkeepers Cottage in the heart of town offers a third night free for any two night stay and throws in the opportunity for special historic tours of the town by your hostess, West Virginia History Hero, Betty Lou Harmison.

Let's finish with another nod to outdoor fun and suggest Cacapon State Park, a one-stop shop for adventure from winter hiking and fishing to cozy cabins and lodge rooms as well as family-friendly dining that offers a winter special of half off the second entree when you order the first.